CO129-502-6 China- general situation 7-1-1927 - 3-3-1927 — Page 216

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15.

Before passing on to the larger question of

Shanghai, we wish to point cut that in cases where

evacuation of minor concession ports is necessary, the

Navy will undertake the arrangements.

Events at Hankow and ukiang have shown how

difficult it is to decide the moment when mere mob violence

is litly to develop into an attack by the military

forces of the Chinese Fationalist Government.

The presence of military forces and the use of firearms

for the maintenance of order may precipitate a serious

conflict. In these circumstances me think that the

moment of evacuation, or of preparation for ovɛcuction,

must be left to the men on the spot.

ཡ ེ་ མ་